Origin
San Bruno, CA
Late night in San Bruno on Tuesday
Local time
4:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Bruno, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 6m
Distance
375.4 mi
604 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$86
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 55m
★
6 AM
7h 7m
8 AM
7h 29m
10 AM
7h 14m
12 PM
7h 12m
3 PM
7h 15m
5 PM
7h 28m
8 PM
7h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Bruno, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Embarking on the 375.4-mile journey from San Bruno, California, to Los Angeles, California, will take you approximately 7 hours and 6 minutes of driving time. This primarily highway-focused drive is a solid option for a single-day trip, allowing you to cover significant ground efficiently. You'll navigate through the Pacific Coast region, sticking to major freeways for most of the route. Budget around $86 for fuel, and plan for about 2 stops along the way to break up the drive. The overall feel is one of efficient travel between two major Californian hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
187.7 miles from San Bruno, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 181.1 mi | 3h 14m |
| Bayshore Freeway | 65.9 mi | 1h 15m |
| I 5 Truck | 63.9 mi | 1h 13m |
| Pacheco Pass Highway | 40.6 mi | 50m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| US 101 Spur | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| San Bruno Avenue East | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Bruno, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on this road
207 ft
·
17 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto San Mateo Avenue
270 ft
·
11 sec
·
San Mateo Avenue
3
Turn right onto San Bruno Avenue East
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
San Bruno Avenue East
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, San Francisco International Airport
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto US 101 Spur
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
US 101 Spur
Toward San Francisco International Airport, San Bruno Avenue
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 101 South: San Jose
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto US 101
23 mi
·
27 min
·
Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
42 mi
·
48 min
·
Bayshore Freeway
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
CA 152
Toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
10
Turn left onto CA 152
353 ft
·
12 sec
·
East 10th Street
11
Continue on CA 152
41 mi
·
50 min
·
Pacheco Pass Highway
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5: Los Angeles
13
Merge onto I 5
181 mi
·
3 hr 14 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from San Bruno to bypass potential Bay Area traffic. With only two recommended stops, you have flexibility in pacing; however, breaking up the drive with a brief rest every couple of hours is advisable, especially during the longest 181.1-mile stretch. Keep an eye on fuel levels, as the $86 estimated cost reflects the primarily highway nature of the trip. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, splitting this into two days is certainly an option, but it's quite manageable as a single push.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.7 miles from San Bruno, CA, or about 3h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 83 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.7 miles or 3h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Los Angeles, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving San Bruno, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from San Bruno, CA
This is one driving day of about 375.4 miles and 7h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from San Bruno, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 181.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
188 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 187.7 miles from San Bruno, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 181.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 374.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward US 101 South: San Jose, San Francisco International Airport
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, San Francisco In...
8
25 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
US 101 / Bayshore Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101 / Bayshore Freeway toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles
8
352.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 37m in
|
I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
7
358.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 43m in
Take the exit toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
7
374.8 mi into trip
|
~7h 5m in
Take the exit toward Broadway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$86.28 one way
$172.57 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
131 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $88.91 | $177.83 |
| premium | $6.18 | $91.29 | $182.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $82.88 | $165.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$86
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$111–$136
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.6 | 1 | $39.42 | $18.02 |
| Efficient EV | 93.9 | 1 | $32.85 | $15.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 150.2 | 1 | $52.56 | $24.03 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
4:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Clear
NE 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 12:31AM PDT until April 17 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 12:31AM PDT until April 17 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 6m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Hyde Street Pier Closure
Caution: Sick Birds and Wildlife, H5N1
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument
National Monument
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
$15
View on nps.gov
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 349.5
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument
National Monument
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 284.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect an 88% highway share on this route, characterized by long, uninterrupted stretches. The longest continuous segment you'll experience is 181.1 miles on the Westside Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. This profile suggests a predominantly Interstate-style experience, focusing on covering distance rather than winding scenic byways. While the specific road character may vary slightly as you transition between the Bayshore Freeway and I-5 Truck, the emphasis remains on maintaining speed and progress.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181.1 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Bayshore Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 375.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25 miles (US 101 / Bayshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 352.6 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in San Bruno, CA
Full guide →San Bruno is a city on the Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. It is south of South San Francisco and north of Millbrae. It is the main headquarters of YouTube.
Arriving in Los Angeles, CA
Full guide →“Tinseltown” · Founded 1781
Frank Lloyd Wright is said to have quipped, "Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles," a quote that has since been repeated both by those who love and hate L.A. The "City of Angels" is home to people who hail from all parts of the globe and an important center of culture, business, media, and international trade. However, it's most famous for being a major center of the world's television, motion picture, and music industry, which forms the base of the city's status and lures visitors for its show business history and celebrity culture. Visitors are also drawn to Los Angeles for its Mediterranean climate and numerous beaches, which gave birth to California's famed surf culture.
Top landmarks
- • Hollywood Walk of Fame — more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks...
- • Hollywood Sign — sign reading "HOLLYWOOD" located in Los Angeles, California, United States
- • Getty Center — campus of the Getty Museum and other programs of the Getty Trust in Los Angeles
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 6m. Total distance: 375.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 181.1 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Los Angeles, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25 miles (US 101 / Bayshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 352.6 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Los Angeles, CA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Los Angeles, CA
More from San Bruno, CA
More trips to Los Angeles, CA
Explore more options from San Bruno, CA or browse trips ending in Los Angeles, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.